Method for forming sheet-metal bodies.



I. N. J ONES.

METHOD FOR FORMING SHEET METAL BODIES. 7

APPLICATION FILED 3111.28, 1909.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

ATTORME rs UNITED STATES \PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC NEWTON JONES, or DEFIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 JOHN c. VANDENBROEK,OF DEFIANGE, OHIO.

METHOD FOR FORMING SHEET-METAL BODIES.

, nomical manner and without danger of rupturing the sheet metal, andpermitting the formation of re ular shaped sheet metal bodies withoutElie use of expensive machinery.

The method consists in subjecting a sheet metal blank to the pressure ofa high explosive, and while said blank is contained in the mold, so astopress the sheet metalto the shape of the mold.

In order to carry out this method, I proceed in detail as follows,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorrespond ing parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a sheet metal blank held in amold, the section being on the line 11 of F ig. 3; Fig. 2 is a sectionalplan view of the same'on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and Fig.'3'is asectional side elevation of the sheet metal body formed in the mold.

As shown in the drawings, the mold A is made in sections, and isprovided with an interior bilge-shaped opening B, and in the saidopening is set a cylindrical sheet metal blank C, within which isignited a quantity of dynamite or other explosive, so that the sheetmetal is expanded to conform to the wall of the bilgeshaped opening B,as plainly indicated in Fig. 1, thus forming a bilge-shaped body C for abarrel or a like receptacle. The body C can be readily removed from themold on opening the latter.

Although I have shown and described the mold with a bilge-sha edopening, it is evident that molds of di erent shape for formingdifierentsheet metal bodies can be employed, it being understood thatwith the method above set forth the sheet metal is subjected to thepressure of a high explosive, to cause the sheet metal to expand to theform of the mold.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

Application filed. January 28, 1909. Serial No. 474,665.

The bilge-shaped body C may be produced gradually, that is, the sheetmetal blank may be subjected successively to the pressure of highexplosives in graduated molds until the sheet metal blank is expanded tothe'full extent in the last mold. By proceeding. in this manner ruptureof the sheet metal is not liable to take place.

The mold may be closed at one or both ends during the firing of thecharge, and the latter may be ignited by suitable means, preferably afuse or an electric igniting device of any approved construction.

In carrying out the process set forth, a heavy mold of metal is made useof, of a suflicient thickness to stand the strain to which it will besubjected, the mold being made in two halves so that it maybe opened forthe removal of the article after the forming thereof. The inside of themold should be in the shape of a barrel or keg, that is of the articleto be formed, and it may be provided with a solid bottom, or it may restupon a heavy iron plate, and be fastened thereto in any suitable manner.

A sheet of metal of suflicient size to form the body of the article isrolled into shape so that it will set in the mold, ermitting the ends ofthe sheet to lap sufiibiently to permit them to be riveted or brazedafter the operation is completed, or secured in any other suitablemanner. The sheet is then placed in the mold resting upon the bottomthereof. A sufficient quantity of the explosive is suspended therein atapproximately the center of the article, after which a lid or cover ofvery heavy metal is placed on top of the mold, which need not befastened, but should be secured to the mold by a chain or the like toprevent its being thrown any distance from the mold. After the cover isplaced, the explosive is set off by any suitable means, and the force ofthe explosion acts directly on the sheet of metal.

Having thus described my invention, I claimas new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. The herein described method of forming sheet metal bodies, consistingin inserting in a mold a cylindrical blank, support ing an explosive atapproximately the center of the mold, closing the ends thereof, andigniting the explosive whereby to expand the blank into-contact with theinner surface of the mold.

2. The herein described methodfor forming sheet metal bodies, consistln1n lacm a cylindrical blank into a bilge s ape mol closing the endsthereof, supporting an explosive at approximately the center of theblank and igniting the same.

3. The herein described method for forming hollow sheet metal bodies,which consists explosive therein at substantially the center thereof,and exploding the same whereby to forcibly press every intimate contactwit the internal surface of the mold. In testimony whereof I have signedmy name to this'specification in the presence of two subscribinwitnesses.

I AAO NEWTON JONES. 'Witnesses: V

HOLGATE G. HARLEY, JOHN G. VANDENBBOEK.

art of the blank mto -15

